Elizabeth Town, Tasmania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Elizabeth TownTasmania |
|
|---|---|
ETC cafe and bakery on Bass Highway
|
|
 Elizabeth Town
Location in Tasmania
|
|
| Population | 502 (2006 census) |
| Postcode(s) | 7304 |
| Location |
|
| LGA(s) | Meander Valley Council |
| State electorate(s) | Lyons |
| Federal Division(s) | Lyons |
Elizabeth Town is a small rural area in Meander Valley, Tasmania. It is located right on the Bass Highway, about halfway between Devonport and Launceston. It is a quiet place known for its beautiful farms and friendly community.
Contents
Discover Elizabeth Town
Elizabeth Town is mostly a farming area. You can find many interesting farms here. Some famous ones include Elgaar Farm, which makes organic dairy products. There is also Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm, where delicious berries are grown. Another popular spot is the Ashgrove Cheese Farm, known for its tasty cheeses.
A Glimpse into History
People started getting land grants in Elizabeth Town way back in the 1820s. Later, a town was planned with large blocks of land, about 10 acres each. For a long time, until the 1970s, Elizabeth Town was very small. It only had three houses!
But then, some land was divided into smaller pieces. More houses were built, and by 2002, there were over forty homes. In 2006, about 502 people lived in the Elizabeth Town area.
The Famous Hotel
In the 1850s, a man named John Spicer built a hotel here. It was on the main road that went from Deloraine north to Devonport. Just before the year 1900, the owner at the time, Charles Slater, knocked down the old hotel. He used money he won in a lottery to build the new building you see today.
This historic hotel is still standing right by the Bass Highway. It is now a popular spot called ETC—the Elizabeth Town café.
Past Community Life
Elizabeth Town used to have more community buildings. There was a school, tennis courts, and even a hall. It also had a Catholic church and an Anglican church. A post office opened in September 1860 with its own postmaster. However, it closed down in 1969.
Today, only the two old church buildings remain. They have both been changed into houses.
The Catholic Church
The Catholic Church started offering services in Elizabeth Town in 1924. A new church building was finished and held its first services on January 22, 1939. It was a modern brick building with a tiled roof. The land for the church was kindly given by Mr. T. Clearly, who owned the hotel back then. This church was designed to hold about 100 people.
The Anglican Church
Anglican church services first took place in the Elizabeth Town state school. The first stone for the Anglican Holy Cross church was placed in January 1892. The church opened for services in January 1893. This church was replaced in the 1950s. A special five-sided area was added in 1955. The building was updated again in 1966. The church celebrated its 60th birthday in December 1952. However, by 2011, the church was no longer used regularly and was sold.
